Gemba met Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in Malaysia on Thursday, on the second leg of his tour of 3 Southeast Asian countries.

Gemba said yen loans will be provided on a case-by-case basis to help finance projects such as those for sewage treatment and water in which Japanese companies are taking part. Anifah said he will welcome Japanese firms.

Gemba's proposal represents an exception to the rule in which Japan does not usually offer yen loans to countries that have already reached a certain level of development.

Gemba told reporters that it is important for the government to work closely with the Japanese private sector and back its efforts to promote exports of infrastructure to key target countries, such as Malaysia.

He said he's glad that Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah told him that he will welcome Japanese firms taking part in his country's infrastructure projects.